Adviser and Head – Ocean
This is a {Advertised Permanent / Temporary}, {Advertised Full Time / Part Time} vacancy that will close in {x} days at {xx:xx} BST.
The vacancy
The Commonwealth Secretariat seeks to appoint an Adviser and Head Ocean in our Trade, Oceans and Natural Resources (TONR) Directorate. The TONR Directorate is one of the three Programme Directorates of the Commonwealth Secretariat. It is responsible for delivering on two strategic pillars of the Secretariat’s Strategic Plan, Sustainable and inclusive economic and social development and Climate-resilient and low-carbon development to respond to climate and ocean emergencies. A significant part of the Directorate’s work is of a consultancy and advisory nature, delivered through a combination of in-house and external expertise.
Reporting to the Senior Director TONR, the Adviser and Head of Ocean, operating within the framework of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Strategic Plan, and the Directorate’s delivery plan and priorities, leads and manages the work programmes, delivery and team of the Ocean section. The Adviser and Head manages the Ocean team ensuring the strategic delivery of the Commonwealth Blue Charter (CBC) and the Ocean Governance and Maritime Boundaries (OGMB) technical advisory (TA) programme.
Responsibilities of the Adviser and Head Ocean includes (but is not limited to):
- Leading collaborative approaches in defining the overall strategic direction of the Ocean work programmes, including setting the operational framework and focus for the achievement of strategic outcomes and results envisaged under the next Strategic Plan;
- Managing the delivery of the Division’s advisory services;
- Liaises with senior officials from across the Commonwealth members to ensure that the Ocean programmes remain relevant to their national objectives;
- Provides intellectual leadership and guidance on technical issues related to the Ocean programmes of work;
- Advocates and systematically communicates to key audiences in advancing the work and results of the Ocean work programmes and of the Commonwealth Secretariat as a whole;
- Manages technical and administrative staff within the Ocean team, ensuring delivery of annual work plans and strategic plan outputs; managing staff leave to ensure staffing levels are maintained in line with the needs of work programmes;
Please refer to the Job Description for full details of the responsibilities of this position.
To be considered, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- A first degree in economics, law or marine sciences and post-graduate degree relevant to ocean governance, the management of marine resources and sustainable ocean development.
- At least 10 years of substantial experience at a senior level as an economist, lawyer, scientist or policy expert involved in an ocean-related sector, including ocean governance, marine / maritime policy, ocean sciences, marine resource management or marine conservation.
- A demonstrable record of leadership, managing projects and programmes as well as experience managing a multi-disciplinary team of professionals.
- You should be qualified to practice law in a Commonwealth jurisdiction.
- Prior experience in an international development context, gained in an international or intergovernmental organisation, government ministry or the private sector.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 member governments and provides guidance on policymaking, technical assistance and advisory services to Commonwealth member countries. We support governments to help achieve sustainable, inclusive and equitable development.
Please apply by submitting a CV and cover letter. Covering letters should be structured to address the key criteria required in the person specification, giving clear examples.
To join us, you must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country.
About us
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries.
It is home to 2.5 billion people, and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. 33 of our members are small states, including many island nations.
Our member governments have agreed to shared goals like development, democracy and peace. Our values and principles are expressed in the Commonwealth Charter.
The Commonwealth's roots go back to the British Empire. But today any country can join the modern Commonwealth. The last two countries to join the Commonwealth were Gabon and Togo in 2022.
Vision & mission
The Commonwealth Secretariat is the intergovernmental organisation that supports member countries to achieve the Commonwealth's aims of development, democracy and peace.
We:
- are a voice for small and vulnerable states
- champion young people
- promote justice and human rights
- address threats like climate change, debt and inequality
- help grow economies and boost trade
- support decision-makers to make good laws and deliver policies
- help strengthen governance and build inclusive public institutions
- provide technical help and training
- send experts and observers to countries to give impartial advice and help solve national problems
- provide systems, software and research for managing resources.
Our vision
To help create and sustain a Commonwealth that is mutually respectful, resilient, peaceful and prosperous and that cherishes equality, diversity and shared values.
Our mission
We support member governments, and partner with the broader Commonwealth family and others, to improve the well-being of all Commonwealth citizens and to advance their shared interests globally.
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